VehicleVerdict

2003 Acura TL transmission problems

The 2003 Acura TL has 250 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 54% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

250

Transmission complaints

54%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

04V176000TransmissionApril 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 units

Defect

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

What owners report

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH TRANSMISSION LOCKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE CAUSE OF WHY THIS HAPPENED WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 11, 2005 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2003 Acura TL have?

NHTSA has 250 complaints about the 2003 Acura TL transmission — 54% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Acura TL transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 04V176000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.